The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1887-02-01
MAN OR PHANTOM7
"A WAR CORRESPONDENT STORY.

During the Franco German war I rep
resented a leading English journal,
which, by the way, exchanged its reports
with an American paper of national
prominence, as war CO respondent. Upon
my arrival in Germany soon aft err the
declaration of war I presented my Gre
dentials to the proper authorities, md
after much delay was attached to the
Royal Saxon Army Corps, rs brave a
body of warriors as was cvcr gathered
together for purposes of destruction and
carnage. followed the fortunes of the
gallant corps through the fall campaign
and was with them at tho siege of Paris.
1t is unnecessary to pay n tribute to the
bravery of the noble Saxon lads who,
after repclling the savage attacks of the
courageous enemy, shared their scanty
allowance Of pea-sausagc and rye bread
with the half starved French guards
who had been fortunate enough to be
captured.
AS might be expected my constant
presence at headquarters and my unvarn-
ished reports of the doings of the corps
secured me the friendship of some of the
officers, while others found it hard work
to conceal the piquc excited by my let
tcrs. Among my dearest friends and
defenders was Lieut.. Baron Ludwig Won
l., an adjutant to one of the regi-
ments attached to the corps. It had
been my good fortune to render q slight
service to the lieutenant during the
opening days of the war, and with an
enthusiasm which was inexplicable to
me, he defended my every action and let
no opportunity pass by to sound my
praises. 1t was but natural that such
disintercstedness challenged my admira-
ton, and soon our friendship had ripen-
ed into an intimacy sueh rs can only be
established amid tho surroundings in
which we were placed. Nothing married
these pleasant relations until Christmas
Eve, when a stray shell from one of the
forts struck the tent in which the lieu
tenant and I were celebrating the great
German holiday. In a moment I realized
that he had been severely wounded,
while I had escaped unframed. An cx-
animation of the wound proved that his
life was in imminent peril, and the staff
surgeon concluded to send Won u to
his home in Saxony. In pursuance o.
the doctors directions we parted then
and there, and the early morning train
bore my friend to the arms of his anxious
family, while I continued my exciting
life among the sanguine soldiery.
The week following this incident was
devoid of interest, owing to the innc-
tivity of the French, but on the ninth
day the forts opened fire, and from whis-
pered conversations at. headquarters I
cleaned that the morrow would sec a
saneuinary conflict. In order to be pre-
prepared I left the tent Of the most adj
vanced Saxon outpost at 4 o'clock in the
afternoon for the purpose of preparing
Typographical notes concerning the prob
able field of carnage. My work was soon
competed. Silence and solitude, inter-
rupted at rare intervals by the CHEEKY "Qui
vive7" of the French outposts or the
gruf "Wer daW of the German scntincls,
tempted me to rest under a pro-
tecting shed, and before 1 real
lied it I had settled down for
a little nap. When I awokc the darkness
told mo that the evening had far nd
vanced, and looking around I saw that
a terrible snow storm had covered nv
tracks. Escape was impossible. Ikncw
not how to reach my friends, and to fall
in the hands OF the French meant dis
grace and perhaps dishonor.
Making the best Of an ugly situation,
I drew my heavy fur overcoat closer
around me, pulled my cap over my ears,
and retreated once more within tho shed.
Scarcely had I settled into a comfortable
position when I was appalled,. Was it
possiblel Yes, there at the rickcty door
of tho shed stood, real as life, Lieut.. Won
L., his right arm extended, his left
hand resting upon his sword belt, and
speaking in o low but distinct whisper:
Beware of tho Franctireursp Sud-
denly as the apparition appeared it
vanished.
Imagine my feelings; I cannot de-
scribe them. I verify believe that my